ul. Nadwislanska 6, Krakow, Poland | (888) 616-5829
Near Vistula River, surrounded by a meadow with Wawel Castle views
Contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars (in some)
Some rooms have views of the river and Old Town
Restaurant serves Polish and international cuisine
Elaborate breakfast with more than 100 items (for a fee)
Spacious bar/indoor courtyard, jazz club, and piano bar
Glass-enclosed indoor pool with city views and a sauna
Small gym with cardio and weight equipment
24-hour business center; space for meetings and conferences
Hotel's boat gives free rides to Wawel Castle
Free Wi-Fi
10-minute drive from central Krakow tourist attractions
Room design is a bit bland
Breakfast not included in room rates
Only Junior Suites have coffee/tea facilities
The upper-middle-range Qubus Hotel Krakow is a corporate-type property about 10 minutes' drive from the city center. Despite its several meeting rooms and close proximity to a conference center, the hotel also draws many sightseeing couples. The 194 rooms are clean and efficient with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi (and minibars on request), but have a rather bland look. The restaurant serves Polish and international cuisine, including an elaborate breakfast buffet for a fee. Other features include a jazz club, an indoor pool, and a small gym. Travelers willing to sacrifice extra features for a property with more character and an Old Town location may prefer Hotel Wentzl.
Scene
Modern hotel with geometric architecture and industrial details
Qubus Hotel Krakow has several architectural influences inside and out. The facade combines elements of industrial factory design with contemporary hotel qualities to create a look that emphasizes strong lines and geometric shapes. Inside, the tall glass atrium lobby has towering tropical trees, contrasting with the often cool weather outside. A bank of red bucket seats gives travelers a space to relax and chat while sipping drinks from the Torino Paninoteka & Bar off the lobby. White shapes, reminiscent of jellyfish, float above the room. The Ogień restaurant has a slightly more cohesive style with brushed beige chairs and white tablecloths. Tall glass windows let in plenty of light, although some of the views are of corporate buildings and a parking lot. The indoor pool on the top floor allows swimmers to look up at the clouds (or stars) through a skylight. The hotel does skew a bit corporate, but with its efficient rooms and solid array of features, it appeals to business people and tourist couples alike.
Location
Not far from central Krakow, next to the Vistula River
The Qubus Hotel Krakow is next to the Vistula River about 10 minutes' drive from central Krakow. Immediately around the hotel is a meadow, on the way to the river, and there are views of Wawel Castle off in the distance. While many of the big tourist attractions are closer to the historic center, business travelers can reach the ZooFestiwal exhibition center in just five minutes by car. ICE Krakow Congress Centre is also less than 10 minutes' drive. The Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz), which dates back several centuries, is a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk. The 14th-century, gothic Wawel Royal Castle is seven minutes away by car or 30 minutes on foot. Qubus Hotel Krakow also owns a boat and gives guests free rides up the river to see the castle. Rynek Główny, Krakow's historic central square, is about 10 minutes away by car or about 15 minutes by tram. The nearest bus/rail and tram stops are within five minutes' walk of the hotel. Travelers arriving at John Paul II International Airport should expect the drive to the hotel to be about 25 minutes.
Rooms
Fairly standard rooms with most of the necessities covered
While guest rooms at Qubus Hotel Krakow lean toward chain-hotel bland, a few decorative details give it a little punch. The most striking detail is the wood-grain furniture. The patterned carpeting, dark red arches on a beige background, add another layer of texture. But the rest of the decor is basic, with white walls unadorned by artwork. The beds are comfortable, however, and rooms have plenty of storage space including armoires and dressers. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but safes and minibars are optional, and there are only coffee/tea facilities in Junior Suites. Bathrooms are decorated with brown tiles, black countertops, and contemporary fittings. Narrow stall showers or shower/tub combos are available. Room sizes range from Single Rooms to Junior Suites with optional balconies. The suites have space for up to four people to sleep and a little more for lounging. Rooms with views of the Vistula River and Old Town are available for an extra fee -- which guests tend to recommend.
Features
Polish/international cuisine, jazz club, indoor pool, sauna and fitness facilities, and meeting space
Qubus has great amenities for business travelers as well as some standout features for all guests. Ogien Restaurant serves continental fare such as Farmer's Schnitzel and Chocolate and Halva Parfait. A breakfast buffet has more than 100 items such as fresh fruit, yogurt, bread, bacon, and more. It costs extra and some guests say breakfast at one of the nearby cafes is cheaper and worth the price. There are a couple of places to unwind at the hotel, including the Mile Stone Jazz Club and piano bar, which has a stage and a bar for private functions, and Torino Paninoteka & Bar, serving cocktails and coffee in the lobby. The small fitness room has weight and cardio machines for guest use. Up on the top floor, there are a sauna and an indoor pool with enough space to swim laps, plus a hot tub. Bicycle rentals are available from the hotel. For business people, eight halls provide on-site meeting space with room for up to 625 people. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.